Smokie

[handyandy1100]

Picked up this Columbia built Goodyear Hi-way Patrol awhile back. Decided it needs to given some TLC. Gonna make it over in old school hot rod style, but with a bit of rattiness for extra flavor.
Name refers to CB lingo for a Highway Patrol officer.

So far, I have added a springer fork and ape hangers. Working on new wheels, a custom seat post and street sweeper fenders...

Should be a fun project. Thought about joining in on the current build-off, but decided I didn't want that kind of pressure. This way I will build what I want, not what I think can win. LOL

 

[handyandy1100]

Using different wheels than stock. Wider tires too, and there's the rub.

Time to get creative...

 

[late for dinner]

Here's a music suggestion to keep you in hot pursuit Andy...

 

[handyandy1100]

I got the front wheel painted over the weekend, and mounted the tire tonight. Grabbed an old rear fender off a Cranbrook and tried it out on the front wheel. I think it can work.

Also over the weekend I picked up these Harley bars at a local thrift shop. They are 1" diameter so grips will be fun to find.

I searched through the RRB forum and found out about a little tool called a manifold spreader. It's for fitting warped exhaust manifolds on V-8 engines. Supposed to be the nuts to spread the chain stays and seat stays on the Columbia. After checking the local car parts stores and getting funny looks, I ordered one from eBay. Should be here next week.

 

[Captain Awesome]

I got the front wheel painted over the weekend, and mounted the tire tonight. Grabbed an old rear fender off a Cranbrook and tried it out on the front wheel. I think it can work.
View attachment 163825

Also over the weekend I picked up these Harley bars at a local thrift shop. They are 1" diameter so grips will be fun to find.
View attachment 163826

I searched through the RRB forum and found out about a little tool called a manifold spreader. It's for fitting warped exhaust manifolds on V-8 engines. Supposed to be the nuts to spread the chain stays and seat stays on the Columbia. After checking the local car parts stores and getting funny looks, I ordered one from eBay. Should be here next week.

1" bars, order 2 sets of motorcycle grips and only use the throttle side for this build. Then you'll have 2 of the 7/8 grips for a regular build in the future

Or try and find mix and match 1" singles from an outlet place like Dennis Kirk that has a massive scratch and dent and returns department

 

[handyandy1100]

Had the same thought about getting 2 pairs of grips for 7/8" bars. Might try that. Thanks.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Didn't someone just post that they bought mc grips for their build, needed to buy a second set to make a pair? They will have what you want!

 

[Kevin B]

Here's a music suggestion to keep you in hot pursuit Andy...

Got to love Junior. Plays everything from Ernest Tubb to the Ventures to Hendrix and all points in between.

 

[handyandy1100]

Manifold spreader came in yesterday. Pretty nifty little tool.

Doing good so far. Chain stays and seat stays have a fuzz over 2-1/2 inches where they did have 2-1/8 inches. I'll keep cranking some tomorrow. Also need to do a little truing on the back wheel too.

The little 20" wheel was easier to use than hunting up nuts and washers and all thread to hold the dropouts together. LOL

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Using different wheels than stock. Wider tires too, and there's the rub.

Time to get creative...
View attachment 163354
View attachment 163355

Ha-Ha! mine always rub too!!!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Manifold spreader came in yesterday. Pretty nifty little tool.
View attachment 164200

Doing good so far. Chain stays and seat stays have a fuzz over 2-1/2 inches where they did have 2-1/8 inches. I'll keep cranking some tomorrow. Also need to do a little truing on the back wheel too.
View attachment 164201
View attachment 164202
The little 20" wheel was easier to use than hunting up nuts and washers and all thread to hold the dropouts together. LOL

Sweet! How much was that thing if you don’t mind me asking!!??

 

[handyandy1100]

Sweet! How much was that thing if you don’t mind me asking!!??

$10.95 and free delivery.

 

[handyandy1100]

It's been crazy around here lately but had some time to work on the Columbia. Good news is I got the frame spread enough to get a 1/4 to 5/16 of an inch on both sides of the tire! Bad news is the chain stays expanded towards the chain and the seat stays went the other way.

Kinda hard to get the tire aligned in the frame. After watching several videos on frame alignment and seeing all the fancy tables and fittings, the gauges and all the Park tools, I took the plunge and began to work. I went to the shed and grabbed my small sledgehammer and 3 foot crowbar! LOL

After some delicate finessing of the frame with my precision tools, I was finally able get the wheel to spin freely!

More finessing to come...

 

[handyandy1100]

Been awhile since I worked on this bike. When I discovered that the tire rubbed one way on top and the other on the bottom. After looking more closely at things, I realized the dropouts were not even. I had to walk away for awhile and something else.
Tonight I dragged out the crowbar and began to carefully tweak ( jump up and down on the crowbar) the frame to get the dropouts to line up again. Things are looking even better now.

 

[handyandy1100]

Been awhile since I posted anything. Dinked around too long with trying to do street sweeper fenders. Just couldn't make it happen. Dug out these old Huffy fenders and they fit near perfectly on the first try. Now to make a tank or something and paint.

 

[handyandy1100]

Just plain gave up on the fenders after all. Hot rods don't need fenders anyway. Also swapped out the Harley bars for the good ol' bicycle ape hangers I originally planned to use. Found some vintage Western Flyer red grips and used them. Piece of pine for the "tank" with some spray paint flames, and some repro Red Crown valve caps for the vintage hot rod look.

 

[Captain Awesome]

Just plain gave up on the fenders after all. Hot rods don't need fenders anyway. Also swapped out the Harley bars for the good ol' bicycle ape hangers I originally planned to use. Found some vintage Western Flyer red grips and used them. Piece of pine for the "tank" with some spray paint flames, and some repro Red Crown valve caps for the vintage hot rod look.
View attachment 172886
View attachment 172887
View attachment 172888
View attachment 172889
View attachment 172890

That screams HOT ROD !!!!!

 

[handyandy1100]

After a year and a half of being yard art, I decided it was time to work on the Columbia again. I almost chose it for the build-off, but went with the Spaceliner instead.
I have mounted the fenders on it again and put the Harley bars on it again. A JC Higgins chain guard will be attached and some other doodadery will be done on the bike as well.

There's nothing like natural patina on your parts. LOL